Summer School and Traffic Cops

While the rest of the world was gearing up to let loose this summer, I was gearing up to homeschool. I fully appreciated that it was summer, and that with summer come all kinds of happy diversions. This wasn't your neighbor's homeschool-- no workbooks, no formal math or science or geography. Our homeschool wasn't about academics.

My goal was simply to have a plan. With a purpose.

Not a Survival Plan. Not a To Do List.

A Teaching Plan!

I'm certain every other mother in the world has a plan like this, but I have to call it "homeschool" in order to make sure it happens consistently!! See- you're far better than I am. I already know that.

The appeal of homeschool to me is not a reaction to the public school system. I've always intended on sending my kids to public school. I may or may not agree with everything about the system, but my experience so far has not been a negative one. Maybe it's because I've never expected public schools to teach my children everything they should know. If I did, then I would probably be very disappointed. Instead, I feel that a good portion of the responsibility for my children's education right now falls upon me, as their mother, whether or not they actually attend school. My challenge is to figure out what I need to teach them, and how, and when. So, the real problem for me is this:

There is simply NOT enough time in the day to teach them what I feel they need to know.

From me.

Like any mother, I take the responsibility to teach and train my children very seriously. Unlike most mothers, I can't figure out how to do it all in just a few short hours a day! I feel like most of that time I'm just directing traffic! How is it that mothers have been reduced to being Traffic Cops??


There are moments interspersed in all the busy-ness where teaching comes in, I'm just not sure it's enough right now. I feel like I'm staring a huge opportunity right in the face with my role as their mother.

What to do, what to do...

Homeschool?

Maybe. Obviously I sent them to school, again, this year. Even sent little Miri off to Kindergarten (she just glows with joy and triumph getting on and off that bus.) They're all very happy with it. I'm the one who feels pointless.

Our summer was filled with all of the usual favorites: vacations, cousins, etc. What differed was our routine on "normal" days. In the past, summer was about keeping my kids entertained. This summer, I tried to turn our quieter days into something more. So we had a schedule... It wasn't a detailed schedule, but it gave us all a clear vision and expectation for the rhythm of our regular days. Included in the daily schedule were personal chores, family work projects, scripture studies & value lessons, meals (prep and clean up), and free time (which might involve reading, skill-building classes (taught by yours truly), time spent outdoors, grocery shopping, swimming, field trips, or playing with friends.)

I really enjoyed *trying* to play this out every day. I wasn't perfect at it, but after two years of days dictated by the twins, I was easily pleased by what did work. Mostly, I wanted to make sure we were doing everything together- as much as possible. Working, playing, reading, cooking, cleaning. I tried to turn everything we need to do at home into an opportunity to teach them something of value. In order to do that, I really had to prepare myself mentally-- I had to train my mind to want to involve at least one, if not all of my children in every single thing I do for our home and family, whenever possible- and to have a higher purpose for it.

The interesting thing about all of this is how much I enjoyed it. And I think the kids did, too. I feel like I stumbled upon some grand secret about the joy in motherhood. Which is why I feel so point-less this week. They aren't here. I no longer need to have that kind of purpose and plan for what I do during the day. I feel the lack. I miss the peace and order and spirit it brought to our home. I miss the feeling of fulfillment at the end of the day.

Of course the twins still need me- they keep me hopping, and they sure love "helping" me around the house now. ;) I enjoy toddlers so much more now than I did the first time around. And Kate and Caroline are just so darn cute! But, I do feel like I've gone backwards this week. My wheels keep turning, but they can't touch ground...

See- I told you this was not your neighbor's homeschool. Academics have a time and place. I am not concerned with changing or adding to what they are presently learning in school, except where I sense true interest and motivation. Right now, I'm more interested in helping my children build Christlike character; in teaching them values that will serve them well through life, and hopefully lay a solid foundation for a true education. This was just an initiation to it all- Summer Style.

I may or may not ever homeschool all of my children full time. I'm taking things a day at a time in that arena. What my pre-occupation with homeschooling has done for me is help me define a specific vision for my family, identify my purpose as a mother in teaching my children, and create a working, day to day plan towards that vision and purpose. I needed that.

I will always need that.

One of our Kitchen Classes on measurements (with friends.)